Pedestrian Accident Attorney in New Orleans
If you were hit by a car, John S. Williams will fight for you
New Orleans is a bustling city filled with residents and tourists who come to experience everything this one-of-a-kind place has to offer. As a result of being such a popular destination with plenty to see and do within walking distance, there is a high volume of people who travel on foot. Unfortunately, that means the risk of getting hit by a car is greater, too.
Whether you got hit by a car in a crosswalk or you were struck by a vehicle on the sidewalk while waiting for a bus, car accidents involving pedestrians can result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries. While you may think the process of recovering compensation for your damages will be straightforward and easy, the insurance company may have other plans. That’s why you need an experienced New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer on your side.
An insurance adjuster may argue the accident was your fault and deny your claim. Even if they say you’re only partially at-fault, that can have severe and lasting consequences. That’s because under the state’s comparative fault law, any damages that you’re able to recover will be reduced by the same percentage of negligence attributed to you for the accident.
One of the best ways to protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve is with representation from an experienced pedestrian accident attorney. If you were hit by a car or you were injured in some other type of crash, such as a bicycle accident, call The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC right away. Attorney John S. Williams has experience successfully handling complex cases and can help you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
“Working with this law firm has been a pleasure. Communication is excellent, and the way they go the extra mile for their clients is unsurpassed. It has been an honor to work with such amazing people, especially Ms. Shamekah. If you are looking, you have come to the right place. There is no comparison to The Law Offices of John S. Williams.” – Sequoia S., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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FAQs About Pedestrian Accidents in New Orleans
Justice for pedestrian accident victims starts with the right information – clear, reliable guidance from a legal authority you can trust, like The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC. The FAQ below answers the most important questions for those hurt or grieving after a crash in New Orleans.
- What should I do if I was hit by a car while walking in New Orleans?
- Can I file a claim if my loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident in Louisiana?
- Who is legally responsible for a pedestrian accident in New Orleans?
- Are pedestrian accident cases in Louisiana handled differently than other personal injury claims?
- What are the most common causes of pedestrian crashes in and around New Orleans?
- Where do most pedestrian accidents happen in New Orleans and surrounding parishes?
- What if I was crossing the street outside of a crosswalk when I was hit?
- What types of injuries are most common in pedestrian accidents – and how severe can they be?
- How much time do I have to file a pedestrian injury or wrongful death claim in Louisiana?
- How does insurance work in pedestrian accident cases involving serious or fatal injuries?
- What evidence is most important in a pedestrian accident claim in New Orleans?
- Can I still recover compensation if the driver says I was partially at fault?
- What are my rights if I was hit by a distracted or speeding driver?
- Are certain roads or neighborhoods in New Orleans more dangerous for pedestrians?
- Why should I contact a New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer right away?
What should I do if I was hit by a car while walking in New Orleans?
Taking the right steps after a pedestrian accident can protect your health and your legal case. The actions you take immediately after being hit are often used as evidence in an injury claim.
- Call 911 – Request emergency medical help and ask the police office on scene to file an accident report.
- Get medical attention – Even if you feel okay, many serious injuries aren’t immediately obvious. See a doctor right away.
- Document everything – Take photos of the crash scene, your injuries, and get contact info for witnesses. Evidence builds strong legal cases.
- Avoid talking to insurance companies – They may try to downplay what happened or force you to accept a low offer. Don’t fall for their scare tactics. Don’t talk to them.
- Follow up on medical treatment – Keep records of all appointments, medications, and recovery impacts.
These steps help preserve your rights. A lawyer can handle the next part – filing the right claim and pushing back when insurance companies stand in your way for justice.
Can I file a claim if my loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident in Louisiana?
Yes, immediate family members – including spouses, children, or parents – can file a wrongful death claim under Louisiana law. These claims are common after fatal pedestrian crashes on dangerous roads like Claiborne Avenue, Canal Street, or Chef Menteur Highway. Compensation can cover money for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and the income the victim would have provided. A lawyer can handle the investigation, gather evidence from police reports and surveillance cameras, and ensure the claim is filed properly before the deadline expires.
Who is legally responsible for a pedestrian accident in New Orleans?
Liability (who’s legally responsible) comes down to who failed to follow traffic laws or acted carelessly. Multiple parties may be at fault, and identifying all of them is key to recovering full compensation. At-fault parties can include:
- The driver – Most commonly at fault, usually for failing to yield or speeding.
- Another motorist – If their actions forced the crash or blocked visibility.
- A rideshare company or employer – If the driver was working at the time.
- The city or parish – If broken signals, poor lighting, or missing signs played a role.
An attorney can determine exactly who’s responsible and hold them accountable for the harm they caused.
Are pedestrian accident cases in Louisiana handled differently than other personal injury claims?
Yes, pedestrian cases often involve more severe injuries and require different types of evidence, such as crosswalk right-of-way laws, driver behavior, and traffic patterns. For example, Louisiana law outlines when drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. These cases may also involve city liability if poor lighting or broken traffic signals contributed to the crash – common in areas like New Orleans East or Algiers. A pedestrian accident lawyer knows how to gather evidence specific to these circumstances and build a case based on local conditions and state statutes.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian crashes in and around New Orleans?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most pedestrian accidents occur at night and on Saturdays, with distracted driving serving as one of the leading causes. Other forms of driver negligence that may result in a pedestrian getting hit by a car include:
- Speeding
- Texting and driving
- Drunk driving
- Fatigued driving/falling asleep at the wheel
- Failure to yield
Every year, thousands of people are injured while many others are killed in fatal accidents. Knowing what to do if you get hit by a car can help, but when the dust settles you may run into problems dealing with the insurance company.
If one or more of these causes contributed to your crash, a lawyer can help gather the proof you need to show negligence played a part in your New Orleans pedestrian accident.
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen in New Orleans and surrounding parishes?
Some parts of New Orleans are more dangerous for pedestrians due to traffic volume, road layout, and lack of safe infrastructure. These areas often have a history of crashes.
- Canal Street and Claiborne Avenue – High-speed roads with many crosswalks.
- French Quarter and Central Business District – Crowded with foot traffic and rideshare activity.
- Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road – Poor lighting and few pedestrian signals.
- Broad Street and Washington Avenue – Fast-moving traffic near residential zones.
- Veterans Memorial Blvd (Metairie) – A busy suburban corridor with limited safe crossings.
If your crash occurred in one of these zones, a lawyer familiar with local patterns can use that context and knowledge to strengthen your legal case.
What if I was crossing the street outside of a crosswalk when I was hit?
Even if you weren’t in a marked crosswalk, you may still have a valid claim under Louisiana’s comparative fault rules. Drivers still have a duty to avoid hitting pedestrians whenever reasonably possible, including on streets like Broad Avenue or Elysian Fields where crosswalks are spaced far apart. Your compensation may be reduced if you’re found partially at fault, but you are not automatically disqualified. An attorney can fight back against these arguments and present evidence showing the driver had time to react or was speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent.
What types of injuries are most common in pedestrian accidents – and how severe can they be?
Pedestrians are vulnerable to serious injury because there’s no barrier between them and the vehicle. Even lower-speed collisions can result in long-lasting harm.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Often from being thrown or hitting the pavement.
- Spinal cord injuries – Which can result in paralysis or chronic pain.
- Fractures and broken bones – In the legs, hips, arms, and ribs.
- Internal injuries – Including organ damage and internal bleeding.
- Fatal trauma – In high-speed impacts or crashes involving large vehicles.
A lawyer can help make sure the true cost of these injuries – both financial and personal – is fully accounted for in your claim.
How much time do I have to file a pedestrian injury or wrongful death claim in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a strict one-year statute of limitations for both personal injury and wrongful death claims. That means you have just 12 months from the date of the pedestrian accident to file a lawsuit, whether it happened on Veterans Boulevard in Metairie or near the Superdome in New Orleans. Waiting too long can permanently block your right to recover any compensation, no matter how strong the case is. A lawyer can help you act quickly, preserve evidence, and make sure no deadlines are missed.
How does insurance work in pedestrian accident cases involving serious or fatal injuries?
Louisiana law requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance, and that’s usually the first place to turn for coverage. But in serious or fatal cases, that’s rarely enough.
- Driver’s liability policy – Covers bodily injury but often capped at $15,000 per person.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage – May apply if you or someone in your household has it.
- Commercial insurance – Applies if the driver was working, such as for Uber or a delivery company.
- Wrongful death coverage – Lets families seek compensation after a fatal crash.
- Health insurance and MedPay – Can help with immediate bills but may require reimbursement.
A lawyer can help identify all available policies and make sure insurers don’t push low offers or unfair denials.
What evidence is most important in a pedestrian accident claim in New Orleans?
Strong evidence can determine whether your claim succeeds or fails. In New Orleans, busy intersections and rideshare activity can make it harder to sort out what happened unless key proof is preserved, including:
- Police report – Official documentation of fault and any citations.
- Surveillance footage – From traffic cameras or nearby businesses.
- Eyewitness statements – From people who saw the moment of impact.
- Photos of the scene – Including skid marks, signage, and surroundings.
- Medical records – Showing the severity and timeline of your injuries.
A lawyer can act quickly to secure time-sensitive evidence before it’s lost or overwritten.
Can I still recover compensation if the driver says I was partially at fault?
Yes, Louisiana follows a comparative fault system, which means your compensation can be reduced based on your share of responsibility – but you can still recover damages (compensation) as long as you were not primarily at fault. Drivers often try to blame pedestrians to avoid liability, especially in crashes near intersections like Canal and Carrollton or outside designated crossings. However, even if you were jaywalking, the driver may still be mostly at fault for speeding, texting, or not yielding. A lawyer can challenge these blame-shifting tactics and work to maximize your financial recovery.
What are my rights if I was hit by a distracted or speeding driver?
If a driver was distracted or speeding, they likely violated Louisiana traffic laws – giving you a strong claim for negligence. These violations are among the most common in pedestrian crash cases.
- You can file a personal injury claim – To recover for medical costs, lost wages, and pain.
- You can seek punitive damages – In cases of reckless or intentional behavior.
- You can request phone records – To show the driver was texting or using an app.
- You can use traffic citations – As direct proof of driver negligence.
- You can hold employers accountable – If the driver was working at the time.
An attorney can help turn these violations into evidence that supports your full financial recovery.
Are certain roads or neighborhoods in New Orleans more dangerous for pedestrians?
Yes. Pedestrian injuries tend to cluster around high-speed roads, areas with poor lighting, or neighborhoods where infrastructure doesn’t prioritize foot traffic, including:
- Broad Street and Tulane Avenue – Frequent crashes due to fast-moving vehicles.
- Canal Street and Loyola Avenue – Heavy pedestrian use with unpredictable traffic.
- New Orleans East – Fewer protected crossings and long stretches without sidewalks.
- Algiers and the Westbank – High traffic near expressway entrances and exits.
- Transit-heavy corridors – Where bus stops and rideshare pickups increase foot traffic.
If your accident happened in one of these locations, a lawyer can use past crash data and street design flaws to help prove the danger was foreseeable.
Why should I contact a New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer right away?
The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better your chances of preserving evidence and protecting your rights. Waiting too long can weaken your case in Louisiana, where deadlines are short.
- Louisiana’s statute of limitations is only one year – Wait too long and you could lose your right to file a pedestrian accident claim or lawsuit.
- Video and witness evidence disappears fast – Especially in busy areas like the CBD.
- Insurance companies move quickly – Often contacting victims before they understand their injuries.
- Legal guidance prevents early mistakes – Like accepting a lowball offer or making a recorded statement.
- Early case work leads to better outcomes – Including stronger negotiations and faster resolutions.
A pedestrian accident lawyer can take the pressure off and make sure your case is handled the right way from the start.
Get justice with a New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer
Cases involving pedestrian accidents can quickly turn into a heated legal battle between you and the driver who hit you. Without the right evidence, you may find it difficult proving you weren’t at least partially to blame for your accident. The insurance company may argue you jumped out in front of the vehicle that hit you or that you were in the road when you shouldn’t have been. They may even say you’re responsible for the damage caused to the driver’s vehicle.
Attorney John Williams knows the games some insurance companies play, and he doesn’t tolerate them. Whether it’s by way of a negotiated settlement or via a favorable court verdict, John will aggressively advocate for your best interests and fight to get you maximum compensation for your damages. He treats his clients like family and believes in fighting for what’s right, what’s fair and what’s just. Find out how he can help you.
Whether you were a pedestrian hit by a car in the crosswalk, or were hit while crossing the street in your neighborhood, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible.
The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC serves clients in New Orleans and offers legal representation on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.